Low temperatures during the first couple of days of the year were in the single digits. Tate, Kay said later, was found naked and nearly frozen in an abandoned house. He never recovered.

He was among 60 people who died in the past year who sometime during their lives experienced homelessness. They were remembered during the service at Carpenter's Place, 1149 Railroad Ave., on an icy morning.

About 125 agency workers, friends, family members and advocates attended.

"I was figuring we would not have near this number because of the weather," said Cathy Barsema, director of guest services at Carpenter's Place. "Your presence here makes a statement about the respect you have for the homeless."